For over 20 years, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has operated a Handwriting Analysis Unit, a group that used to be invaluable in solving crimes- now, according to the GBI, the emphasis is on ‘used to be.’

While handwriting analysis is still used in forgery cases, DNA tests, ballistics matching, and drug screening are said to be far more important across the board.

John Neuner, the accreditation program manager with the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors, said that this shutdown isn’t unique to the GBI.

“It’s dying across the country,” Neuner said. “I think the reason it’s dying is a matter of resources. There just isn’t as much demand in an electronic world.”

Read more from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution here.